SITMEX-21

The SITMEX (Singapore, India, Thailand Maritime Excercise) is a series of naval exercises conducted by the navies of India, Singapore and Thailand to enhance their maritime cooperation and interoperability capacity.

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Overview of SITMEX

• SITMEX was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a keynote address at the Shangri-la Dialogue. 
• The first trilateral maritime exercise between Singapore, Thailand and India took place off the coast of Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in September 2019. 
• The aim of SITMEX is to enhance interoperability capability, imbibing the best practices of the Indian Navy, the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Royal Thai Navy and enhancing the maritime security of the Indo-Pacific region.
• The SITMEX exercise is in line with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) vision.

About SITMEX-21

• The 3rd edition of the Trilateral Maritime Exercise, SITMEX–21 is held in November 2021 in the Andaman sea hosted by RTN(Royal Thai Navy).
• The Navies of the India, Singapore and Thailand participated in the event. 
• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette is participating in this edition.
• SITMEX-21 will fortify the long-standing bond of friendship and further enhance the cooperation between the participating navies towards augmenting the overall maritime security in the region.
•  The exercise is being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 restrictions and highlights growing synergy, coordination and cooperation in the maritime domain between the three friendly navies. 
• The two days of maritime drills will witness the three navies engaged in various tactical exercises including naval manoeuvres and surface warfare drills.

How different was the 2020 edition of SITMEX?

In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, SITMEX-20 was non-contact at sea only exercise. It was hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) represented by the ‘Formidable’ Class frigate Intrepid and’ Endurance’ Class Landing Ship Tank  ‘Endeavour’.

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was represented by the ‘Chao Phraya’ Class frigates ‘Kraburi’ while the Indian Navy deployed anti-submarine Warfare corvette INS Kamorta and missile corvette INS Karmuk.

The 2nd edition of SITMEX took place on from 21st to 22nd November 2020 where the navies of the three nations participated in naval manoeuvres, surface warfare exercises and weapons demonstrations.

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List of Indian Navy Exercises

The following are the list of Maritime exercises the Indian Navy conducts with other nations

Maritime Exercises

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